Document Type (Journals)
Original Research
Abstract
An environmental scan conducted in 2022 highlighted a need for enhanced preparation for collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) in Ontario, Canada. In response, an online course was developed to disseminate knowledge needed for effective OT-OTA intraprofessional collaboration (IntraPC) in the Canadian context. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the online course to improve perceived preparedness among Canadian OT and OTA students for OT-OTA IntraPC. Participants were Master’s-level OT students and diploma-level OTA students studying in Canada (N = 136), who were invited to complete the course by their program instructors. The course incorporated an integrated consent procedure and a retrospective pre/post-test survey, including the Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS), to assess changes in participants' self-perceived collaborative competence following course completion. Results indicated a significant increase in self-perceived knowledge in and competence for OT-OTA IntraPC after completing the online course. The findings suggest that the online course effectively supports OT-OTA IntraPC preparation in Canada, marking a critical step toward enhancing collaborative practices in occupational therapy. While the course was effective, an online course alone is insufficient and additional scaffolded opportunities are needed to support OT-OTA IntraPC preparation and competence in real-world practice.
Biography
Teresa Avvampato, Doctor of Science (RHL), MSc(OT), OT Reg (Ont) is a professor in the occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant (OTA & PTA) program at Durham College in ON, Canada. This research is part of a doctorate conducted at Queen’s University in ON, Canada. Her research has focused on intraprofessional collaboration preparation during entry-to-practice education.
Dianna Fong-Lee, MA, OT Reg (Ont) served as Chair of Health Sciences from 2021-2024, and was a full-time faculty/program coordinator for the occupational therapist assistant and physiotherapist assistant program for 25 years at Conestoga College in Kitchener ON, Canada. She has worked with educators across Canada to support intraprofessional collaboration between OTs and OTAs.
Mark Hall, BScPT, MScPT, PhD is a physiotherapist and is currently the Associate Chair and Director of the MScPT Program at the University of Alberta. In addition to his current role, he serves in many professional capacities including OTA/PTA and PT accreditation and regulation through the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators.
Marcia Finlayson, PhD, OT Reg (Ont), FCAHS, FCAOT is a Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy at Queen’s University in Kingston ON Canada. Her research program includes studies that examine the need for, access to and use of health services among people with multiple sclerosis, including models of rehabilitation care delivery.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Avvampato, T. R., Fong-Lee, D., Hall, M., & Finlayson, M. (2025). Enhancing Intraprofessional Collaboration in Occupational Therapy: Evaluation of an Online Course for Canadian OT and OTA Students. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 9 (4). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol9/iss4/13
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